Process and catalyst for production of olefin polymers



' PROCESS AND CATALYST FOR PRODUCTION OF OLEFIN POLYMERS No Drawing. "Filed Dec. 30, 1955, Ser.'N0. 556,483

15 Claims, (Cl.'2609"4.9)

This invention relates to the polymerization of olefins. In one aspect, this invention .-relates to an improved method .for polymerizing olefins and to a novel catalyst therefor.

' Reactions for polymerizing olefins are well known in the art and are generally carried out in the presence of catalysts. One type of catalyst which has been used in the polymerization of monoolefins, particularly ethylene, consists of organometal compounds, for example triethylaluminum, and the polymers which have been obtained in accordance with this method are generally liquid or low molecular weight solid. polymers. Frequently, the polymers obtained are dimers or ,trimers of the olefin charged. Howeven'it is often desirable to produce higher molecular weight polymers which have desirable properties of heat stability and can be molded into vessels, pipes and tubing. Such uses cannot be made, of the lower molecular weight polymers, for example, a polymer having a molecular weight of about 1000, since apolymer of this molecular weight is a wax-like material.

It is an object of this invention, therefore, to provide an improved process'for the production of high molecular weight olefin polymers.

A further object is to provide a novel catalyst for use in the production of olefin polymers. 7

A still further object is to produce high molecular weight solid polymers of olefins, such as ethylene.

Other and further objects and advantages of this invention will become'apparent to those skilled in the art upon consideration of the accompanying disclosure.

It has now been discovered that an unexpected improvement in'theproduction of high molecular weightpolymer is obtained when an olefin, such as ethylene, is polymerized in the presence of a catalyst composition comprising (1) a metal halide. selected from the group consisting of halides of titanium, zirconium,-hafnium and germanium, (2) a hydride selected from the group consisting of hydrides of aluminum, gallium, indium and thallium and complexes of said hydrides with alkali metal hydrides, and (3) an organic'halide correspondingto the formula RX wherein R is an alkyl, cycloalkyl, alkenyl, cycloalkenyL. aryl, or alkynyl radical, or combinations of these radicals, e.g., aralkyl or alkaryl radicals, and X is a halogen.' The improvement obtained when polymerizing an 1 olefin in the presence of our novel catalyst is, firstly, the polymers of much higher molecular weight possessing very highimpact strength and other desirable characteristicscan be obtained than is true when certain of the prior art catalystshaveflbeen employed, andsecondly,

the polymerization reaction, particularly for ethylene, can be. initiated and carried out at considerably lower temperatures and pressures thanare necessarywhenemploy- -ing the catalysts and theprocesses of the prior art.

The nietal halide component of our catalyst .system comprises the halides of the metals titanium, zirconium, hafnium and germanium. Examples of metal halides which can be-'used' include' titanium dichloride, titanium titanium tribromide, titanium tetrabromide, titanium di iodide, .titaniumtriiodide, titanium-, tetraiodide, titanium trifluoride, titanium tetrafiuoride, zirconium; dichloride, zirconium trichloride, zirconiumtetrachloride, zirconium 'dibromide, zirconium tribromide, zirconium tetrabromide,

. zirconium ,tetraiodide, zirconium tetrafluoride, hafnium ture of titanium .trichloride,.lithium aluminum hydride f of Your invention.

.trichloride, hafnium tetrachloride,- hafnium; triiodide, hafniurn tetraiodide, germanium dichloride,,germanium trichloride, germanium tetrachloride, germaniumdibromide. germanium tetrabromide,-, germanium diiodide, germanium tetraiodide, germanium difluoride,.germanium tetrafluoride and the like, .Mixtures, of two or more of the metal halides can be, employed in the catalyst system of our invention.

The metal hydridesused as a, component of our catalyst system include.the hydridesjof :the metals aluminum. gallium, indium and thallium. It is also Within the scope of the invention to use complex hydrides corresponding the like. Mixtures'of two or more of theafo rementioned hydrides andcomplcxlhydride'sfcan be used hithe practice Theorganichalides "utilized as acomponent of our catalyst systemgcorre'spond to. the formula RX, wherein 'R is selectedfrom the group consisting ofalkyhcycloalkyl, alkenyl, cfycloalkenyl, aryl, and alkynyl ;radicals, and combinations of these radicals, and X is a haloge1i, in-

cluding fluorine,chlorine,. bromine and iodine. Examples of organic halides which can be usedfinlude methyl Jchloride, ethyl bromide, isopropyl iodide, n-butyl fluoride,

: the use of relatively low reaction temperatures andpressures are the following: a mixture of titanium tetrachloride, lithium aluminum hydride and allyl bromide; a mixand allyl bromide; a mixture of titanium tetrachloride, lithium aluminum hydride and ethyl. bromide; a mixture of zirconium tetrachloride; lithium-aluminum hydride and ethyl bromide; anda mixture of titanium trichloride, lithium. aluminum hydride and ethyl bromide.

The amount of the catalyst composition of this in-' vention which is used 'in the polymerization of olefins' can vary over a wide range. Relatively small amounts of the catalyst provide the desired activating effect when the polymerization reaction is carried out as a batch process with continuous addition of the olefin as the "polymerization reactionoccurs; As much as 50 to 2000 grams of polymer can beobtainedper gram of the catalyst composition utilized in the reaction. When acoutinuous flow system is employed-theconcentration of the total catalyst compositionis usually in the range from 0.01 weightpercent to 1.0 weight percent, or-higher.

-The ratio oftheamounts of metal hydride to: metal trichlorideg titanium tetrachloride, titaniumhibromide, halide willgenerallybe' in=the range of- 0.05 to 50, pref- Patented July5, 1960 R ene .andja pentene.

'erably 0.2 to 3, mols of metal hydride per mol of metal halide. The ratio of the amount of organic halide to metal halide will usually be in the range of 0.05 to 50, preferably 0.2.to 3, mols oforganic halide per mol of metal halide.

The materials which .are polymerized accordance with this invention can be defined broadly as polymerizable hydrocarbons. PreferabIy the polymerizable hydrocarbons are olefins-containing a CH =C radical. The preferred class of polymerizablehydrocarbons used is aliphatic-ll-olefins having up to and including '8 carbon atoms per molecule. Specifically, the normal l-olefin, ethylene, has been found to polymerize to a polymer hydrocarbons which can be used in the process of this invention are propylene, l-butene, l-hexene and l-octene. Branched chain olefins canalso be used, such f as isobutylene. Also, l,l-dial kyl substituted and 1,2-di- I .allcyl-substituted,ethylenes can be used, such as butene- 2, pentene-2, hexene-2, heptene-S, Z-methylbutene-l, 2-

methylhexene-l, Z-ethyIheptene-l, and the like. Examplesof the diand polyolefins in which the double bonds are in non-conjugated positions and which can be used in accordance with this invention are 1,5 hexadiene, 1,4- pentadienef and l',4,7goctatriene. Cyclic'olefins can also ;be:used, such as cyclohexene, Mixtures ofthe foregoing r vmer bl h r c on can be p l e iz d a :solidpolymer in the presence of our novel catalyst as,

1ffor. example by. copolyrnerizing ethylene and proplyene, 1 ethyleneand .lebutene proplyene and l-butene, or propyl- 7 Also, aryl olefins, e.g., styrene and nlkyl-substit'utedstyrenescanbe' polymerized to a solid '"i ipolyrner in the process of this invention. This invenv tionis' also applicable to the Polymerization of a monomeriernatzirial comprising'conjugated dienes containing fromA-to fi, or more Tcarbon' atoms. Examples of conjugatedjdienes whichcjan be used incIudelJ-butadiene, isoprene, 2,3-dimethylbutadiene, 2-meth'oxybutadiene, ,2-

phenylbutadiene and the like. scopeof the invention to polymerize such conjugated It is also within 'the dienesleither alone or in admixture with each other vand/or with one or .more'other compounds containing an active CH =C group which arecopoly-merizable therewith. Examples .of such. compounds are listed here'- inabove, Examples of other compounds containing an active CH =C group include styrene, acrylonitrile,

methyl acrylate,,methyl methacrylate, vinyl chloride, 2-' .methyI-SV-Vinylpyridine, 2-vinylpyridine, and the like. in Onelof the important advantages obtained in the poly.- merization ofolefins in the presence of our'novel' cata-i lyst -is that lower temperatures andpressures canbe used than in certain of the prior art processes. The tem- ,j perature can be varied over a rather broad range, how e'ver,' ;such as f rom-250. F. and below to 500- F and di above The preferred temperature range is from 50;'to V .3'00 -E. Althou'gh'pressures ranging frorn atmospheric land-below up to 30,000 p.s.i.g. or higher can be eniployed raf pressure from atmosphericto 1000 p.s.i.g. is

usuallypreferred with .a pressure in the range 110.700 p;s.-i.g. being even more desirable.

.In this connection,rit is notedthat it is preferred to carryout the reactionin the presence of an'inert', organic jdiluent, preferably a hydrocarbon'ywith a pressure sufl ficient to maintain thediluent in the liquid phase,"giving .rise toa so-called mixed-phase" system.- However, the polymerization process of this invention proceeds in the gaseous or' liquid phasewithout a diluent. ferred pressurerangeset-forth above hasbeen found to producesolid polymers of olefiins ;in excellent yields. a Suitable diluents for use in'the polymerization process i 5 are 'parafiins, cycloparafiinsand/oraromatic:hydrocar- 'bons which are relatively inert, non-deleterious and liquid The preoil-100 under the conditions of the process. The lower molecular weight alkanes, such as propane, butane, and pentane, Q

are particularly useful when carrying out the process at low temperatures. .However, the higher molecular weight paraflins and cycloparaifins such as 'isooctane, cyclohexane and methylcyclohexane and the aromatic di1uents, such as benzene, toluene, and the like can also be' used, particularly when operating at -higher temperatures. Halogenated hydrocarbons such as halogenated aromatics, halogenated paratfins and halogenated cycloparaffins, are also useful as diluentsl Mixtures" of any two or more of the above-listed diluents'canbe employed as well in the process of this invention.

The process of this invention can be carried out as a batch process by pressuring the olefin into a reactor containing the catalyst and' diluent, 'if the latter is used. Also, the process can be carried out continuously by maintaining the above-described concentrations of re actants in the reactor for a suitable residence time.

The residence time used in a continuous process can varywidely, since it depends'to a great extent upon'the temtemperature range of 50 to 300 F., falls within the range In the batch process, the time for the reaction can vary widely also, such of one second to an hour or more.

as up to24 hoursor more. V

Ithas been found that various materials'in some in- ;stances may have a tendency to inactivate the catalyst compositions of this invention. These materials include carbon'dioxide, oxygen andwaten Therefore itis usually desirable to free the polymerizable hydrocarbon from thesematerials, as well as fromother materials x which may tend tofinactivatethefcatalyst before contacting the hydrocarbon with the catalyst; 'Any'of the as water, oxygen, and the like. 'It is desirable, also, that air and moisture be removed from the reaction vessel.

known meansfor removingsuch contaminants can be employed, When a diluent-is used in; the process, this efore the reaction is carried out. However, in some cases small amounts of catalyst inactivating, materials, 'such as oxygen or water, can be tolerated in the reaction mixture'while stillobtaining reasonably good polymerization rates. 7 It is to be understood that the amount of such materials present in the reaction ,mixture'shall not be sufiicient to completely inactivate "the catalyst:-

excess olefin is vented and the contents of the reacton'in- Qtreated. to'inactivate the catalyst and, remove the catalyst At the completion of the polymerization reaction, any

cluding the solid polymer swollen with diluent, are then residues. The inactivationfof, the catalyst canbe accomplished-bywashing with an alcohol, water or other'suitable material. In someinstances, the catalyst inactivating treatment also removes a major proportion ofthe catalyst residues-while in other cases it maybe necessary to treat thepolymer with an acid; base or other suitable material in order to effect the desired 'removalof the catalyst i'esidues; The treatment of the polymer may be carried out in a comminution zone, such as a Waring Blendor, so thata finely'divided polymer is thereby provided. The polymer is then separated from the diluent and treating agents, e.g'.,

may be obtained by referring to the following illustrative. examples which are not intended, however, to be unduly limitative. V V V Ethylene was polymerized'in a 2.700 cubic centimeter Y steel rocking autoclave in thelpresence of a'cata: 7 i

lw w

but consisting of 2 grams of lithium aluminum: hydride and S grams-of titanium tetrachloride. The catalyst; componentswere charged to the reactor containing500: cubic centimeters of benzene (dried over sodium) while: maintaining the reactor under a nitrogen. atmosphere' The reactor was then sealed and pressuredwitlr ethyleneito 300 p.s'.i .-g. at 70 -F; Heat was applieditothereactor bymeans of. an electric heater. The reactiorr startedfiinmediately as indicated by an increase in temperature. mirrutes, the pressure had dropped: to 159 ptsziigs while the temperature had risen to240 'l i. About 15. minuteslater, thereactor was repressured with ethylene-to 400. p.s.i.g:, and minutes thereafter the: reactor was again; repressured 120-550 p.s.i.g. The" reaction was allowe'dito continue for an additional 100:minutes at whichtimethe pressure was 300 p.s.i.g. and the temperature was 300:F. At this point the reactor was cooled and. opened. Approximately 500 cubic centimeters of isopropyl alcohol; was added to the reactor andthe reactor contents were then comminuted in a Waring Blender for about minutes. The polymer was then washed with water- The properties of-the ethylene polymer recovered are. presented below in Table I.

Table. I

Molecular weight (based on melt index) 10,300 Melting point, 'F 249:2 Impact strength (falling ball method) Broke at 12" Melt index 36.3 Density, grams/cc. at room temperature 0.968 Color Light yellow EXAMPLE II Ethylene was polymerized in the same reactor as in Example 'I in the presence of a catalyst consisting of 2 grams of lithium aluminum hydride, 5 grams of titanium tetrachloride, and 7 grams of allyl bromide. The catalyst components were charged to the reactor, whichcontained 500 cubic centimeters of benzene (dried over sodium), while maintaining the reactor under a nitrogen atmosphere. The reactor was then sealed andpressured with ethylene to 300 p.s;i.'g. at 70 F. The reaction was allowed to continue for 91 minutes at which time the temperature was 227 F. and the pressure-was 250 pas-.ilg. The reactor was then cooled and opened. About 500 cubic centimeters of isopropyl alcohol was then added to the reactor after which the entire reactor contents were charged to a- Wan'ng Blendor and comminuted for approximately 15 minutes. About 80 grams of polymer was recovered. The properties of a sample of this ethylene polymer are presented below inTable II.

Table 11' Ethylene was polymerized in a reactor similar to that used in Example I in the presence of a catalyst consisting of 3.77 grams of lithium aluminum hydride, 2 grams of titanium tetrachloride and 10.9 grams of ethyl bromide. The catalyst components were charged to the reactor,

which contained 400 cubic centimeters of benzene (dried over sodium), while flushing the reactor with purified nitrogen. The reactor was then sealed and pressured with ethylene to 500 p.s.i.g. at 75 F. The reaction started immediately, but to ensure a more rapid reaction heat was applied to the reactor by an electric heater. The heater was started about minutes after the reactor was pressured with ethylene. After an additional 2-0 minutes, there Was a sudden rise in temperature; so the heater was turned off; The reaction was: themallowedito. continueiorapproximately 6 hours at which: time: the temperatlue, was 323 F. andthepressurewas. 3.40p.s.i;g; Atthispointthe reactorswas-repressured with-ethylene to600 p.s.i-.g. The reaction; was allowed; to: continue for an additional 30 minutes after which the unreacted; ethylene wasvented and reactorscooledi! Thezreaetion product. was found to beasolidzmasswhichwas-very difi'icult toremove from the reactonJ solid: was. dried overnight, broken up and comminuted in a Waring Blendor-withabout 500 cubic centimeters of methyl: alcohol;v The polymer was recovered hy-filtratiomandidriedovernight in avacuum oven at 80. Q. andv 29 inches-of. mercury vacuum- About grants oh ethylene polymer was. obtained. The properties of: a sample: ofi this polymer. are presented below in Tablezllia:

The ethylene used in the above examples was passed through a purification system-- prior to charging to the reactors in order to remove oxygen, carbon dioxide and water vapor; The purification system comprised a pyrogallol solution, a sodium hydroxide solution and drying agents. 7

From a consideration of the data shown in Tables I, II and III, it is-seen that-the addition ofan organic halide to the catalyst composition consisting of a metal hydride and a metal halide resulted in an ethylene polymer having a higher molecular-Weight and possessing greatlyincreased impact strength;

The polymers produced in accordance with this invention have utility in applications where solid plastics are used. They can he used to impregnate paper and fabrics, and they can be molded to form articles of any desired shape, such as bottles and other containers for liquids. Furthermore, they can be formed into pipe by extrusion;

It'wilI be apparent to those skilled in the art that variations and modifications of the invention can be made upon study of the foregoing disclosure; Such variations and modifications are believed to be clearly within the spirit and scope of the" invention.

We claim: V

1. A method for polymerizing an aliphatic l-olefin having up to and including 8 carbon atoms per molecule which comprises contacting said-olefin with a catalyst consisting essentially of (l) a metal halide selected from the group consisting of halides of titanium, zirconium, hafnium and germanium, (2) a hydride selected from the group consisting-of hydii'des of aluminum, gallium, indium and thallium and complexes of said hydrides with alkali metal hydrides, and (3 an organic halide corresponding to the formula RX, wherein R is selected from the group I consisting of alkyl, cycloalkyl, alkenyl, cycloalkenyl, aryl, and alkynyl= radicals, and combinations: of these radicals,

: and X is ahalogen, the ratio of the amounts of the. components ofsaid. catalyst'beingin the-range. offrom 0.2. to

3 mols of said hydride per mol of said metal halide and in the range of from 0.2 to 3 mols of said organic halide per mol of said metal halide.

2. A method in accordance with claim 1 wherein said olefin is ethylene and said catalyst consists essentially of a mixture of titanium tetrachloride, lithium aluminum hydride and allyl bromide.

3. A method in accordance with claim 1 wherein said olefin is ethylene and said catalyst consists essentially of a mixture of titanium trichloride, lithium aluminum hydride and allyl bromide.

4. A method in accordance with claim 1 wherein said olefin is ethylene and said catalyst consists essentially of 6. A method in accordance with 'claim 1 wherein said olefin is ethylene and said catalyst consists essentially of a a mixture of titanium trichloride, lithium aluminum hy- "dride and ethyl bromide; a a

a 7. 'A method for producing a solid polymer of an aliphatic l-olefin having up to and including 8 carbon atoms per molecule which comprises contacting said olefin with a catalyst consisting essentially of (1)v a metal halide se- 7 lected from the group consisting of halides of titanium,

zirconium, hafnium and germanium, (2) a hydride selected from the group consisting of hydrides of aluminum, gallium, indium and thallium and complexes'of said hydrides with alkali metal hydrides, and (3) an organic halide corresponding to the formula RX, wherein R is selected from the group consisting of alkyl cycloalkyl,

' alkenyl, cycloalkenyl, aryl, and'alkynyl radicals, and combinations of these radicals, and X is a halogen, the ratio of the amounts of the components of saidcatalyst being in the range of from 0.2 to '3 mols of said hydride per mol of said metal halide and in. the range of from 0.2 to 3 tmols of said organic halide per mol of said'metal halide, saidcontacting occurring at a temperature in the range Of. 250 F. to'500 IF, in the presence of a hydrocarbon 'diluent,'inert and liquidiunder conditions of-the method, at a pressure sufficient to-maintain said diluent in l q id ph a recovering t so Poly e sofpw u s a A method forpo y z s hy enew i h comprises 9. 'A method for polymerizing ethylene whichscomprises contacting ethylene with a catalyst consisting essentially of a mixture of titanium tetrachloride,'lithium aluminum hydride and ethyl bromide, the;ratio of the amount of the components of saidtcatalyst, being in-the range of from 0.2 to 3 mols of said hydride per mol of said tetrachloride and in the range of from 0.2 to 3 mols of said ethyl bromide per mol of said tetrachloride, said contacting occurring'in the presence of a hydrocarbon diluent, inert and liquid under conditions of the method,

at a temperature in the range of 50 to 300 :'F.,' and a ,1

pressure in the range of 100 to 700 p.:s.i.g.

' 10. A catalyst composition consisting essential1y of;-(1-) mixture of titanium tetrachloride, lithium aluminum hy-' f contacting ethylenewith a catalyst consisting essentially of a mixture of titanium tetrachloride,rlithiums-aluminum hydride and allyl bromide, the ratio o'rjtheamount of the components ofsaid catalyst being' in the range'of from 0.2 to 3 mols of said hydride per mol of'said'tetrachloride 'and-in the range, of from 0.2 ;to 3 mols o f said allyl bromidepermol of said tetrachloride, said contacting V occurring in the presence of a hydrocarbon diluent, inert and'liquid under conditions of the method, at a temperature in the range of 5010300 F., and a pressure in the, ,r'angeof 100' to 700 p,s.i.g. 7

a metal halide selected fromjthegroup consisting of halides of titanium, zirconium, hafniurnnnd germanium,. (2a) t V w wherein R is selected fromrthe group consisting of alkyl,

'cycloalkyl, alkenyl; cycloalkenyl, aryl, and alkynyl radicals, andcombinations of these radicals, and X is a halogen, the. ratio of theamounts ofthe components ofjsaid catalyst composition being inthe range, of from 02m 3 mols ofrsaid hydrideper mol of said metal halide and in the rangeof from 0.2 to 3 mols of said organic halide 'per mol of said metal halide. a a f 11. A' catalyst composition consisting essentially of a ,dride'andallylhromide, the ratio of the amounts of ma- -terials in'said mixture being in the range of from 0.2 to 3 mole of said hydride per mol of said tetrachloride and'in the range of from 0.2 to 3 mols of said allyl bromide per I rmol of'said tetrachloride.

12. A catalyst composition consisting essentially ofta 13. A catalyst composition consisting essentially, of ti-' tanium tetrachloride, lithium aluminum hydride and ethyl bromide, the ratio of the amounts of materials in said mixture being in the range of from 0.2 to 3 mols of said hy- I i ;dride per mol of said tetrachloride and in the range of from 0.2 to 3 molsof said ethyl bromide per, molfof said tetrachloride."

14. A catalyst composition consisting essentially of a mixture of zirconium tetrachloride, lithium aluminumhydride and ethyl. bromide, the ratio of the amounts of materials in said mixture being'in the range of from 0.2 to 3 mols of said hydride per mol of said tetrachloride ;aud in the rangeof from 0.2 to 3 mols of said ethyl bro- .mide per rnol of 7 said tetrachloride.

l 5. -A catalyst composition consisting essentially oi a, mixture of titanium trichloride, lithium aluminum hyr dride and ethylbromide, the ratio of the amounts of ma- ]terialsin s id mixture'beingin the range of from 0.2to 3 mols ofsaid' hydride per mol of saidtrichloride and in a the range of from 0.2 to 3 mols of said ethylbromide per mol of, said trichloride.

' References Cited in the fiie of this patent i UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,467,162 Sehutz e Apr. 12, 71949 1 2,520,439 5 1' Sailors Aug. 29, 1950 7 2,666,756 Boyd et al. .1 7 Jan. 19, 1954 2,699,457 Ziegler Jan. 11, 1955 2,713,044 McArthur et al. July 12, 1955 2,721,189 Anderson et al."- Oct. 18, 1955,

l 2,726,231 Field et al. i. Dec. 6, 1955 1' 2,816,883 Larchar et al Dec. 17, 1957 2,822,357 ,Brebner et al. Feb. 4, 1958; 2,825,721 Hogan .et al. Mar. 4, l958 2,832,759 Nowlin'et al. Apr; 29, 1958 Friedlander May 13, 1958 2,834,768 V a FOREIGN PATENTS 1 534,792- 1 Belgium Jan. 31,- 1955 

1. A METHOD FOR POLYMERIZING AN ALIPHATIC 1-OLEFIN HAVING UP TO AND INCLUDING 8 CARBON ATOMS PER MOLECULE WHICH COMPRISES CONTACTING SAID OLEFIN WITH A CATALYST CONSISTING ESSENTIALLY OF (1) A METAL HALIDE SELECTED FROM THE GROUP CONSISTING OF HALIDES OF TITANIUM, ZIRCONIUM, HAFNIUM AND GERMANIUM, (2) A HYDRIDE SELECTED FROM THE GROUP CONSISTING OF HYDRIDES OF ALUMINUM, GALLIUM, INDIUM AND THALLIUM AND COMPLEXES OF SAID HYDRIDES WITH ALKALI METAL HYDRIDES, AND (3) AN ORGANIC HALIDE CORRESPONDING TO THE FORMULA RX, WHEREIN R IS SELECTED FROM THE GROUP CONSISTING OF ALKYL, CTCLOALKYL, ALKENYL, CYCLOALKENYL, ARYL, AND ALKYNYL RADICALS, AND COMBINATIONS OF THESE RADICALS, AND X IS A HALOGEN, THE RATIO OF THE AMOUNTS OF THE COMPONENTS OF SAID CATALYST BEING IN THE RANGE OF FROM 0.2 TO 3 MOLS OF SAID HYDRIDE PER MOL OF SAID METAL HALIDE AND IN THE RANGE OF FROM 0.2 TO 3 MOLS OF SAID ORGANIC HALIDE PER MOL OF SAID METAL HALIDE. 